On our last day in Chiang Rai, Jakob and I decided we would take a traditional Thai cooking class. These classes can be found easily in here, and are a good way to see Thailand from the other side of the street vendor cart. This class included the cooking of glass noodle salad, pad thai, sweet pumpkin in coconut milk and thai green curry. It began in the market with the teacher, sampling all the market snacks, and shopping for our ingredients. Once in the kitchen we realised that cooking these dishes never takes more than about 12 minutes (for a curry), but rather the time is put into preparation.
Whilst at the market, we walked past a large truck full to the brim with coconuts being transported into the factory. Instead of a forklift or something on wheels, these men lugged huge baskets of cocnuts into their shoulders and jogged them into the factory. "I want to help them - I want a go". And with that, Jakob took off to the truck and had them load up a basket and place it on his shoulder. Three trips and three big baskets later, a sweaty Jakob returned and decided that maybe that was enough.
I was surprised to find that our food tasted good. Really good. I am now bound for a life of beautifully made pad thai and green curry. Nom.
Returning to the hostel after the class (and a visit to the hill tribe museum), we thought about what to do for our last night in Chiang Rai. Jumping in the shower there was a knock on the door from Joe. "Hey guys, we're going to the hot spring in 10 minutes. Meet you downstairs". As if he had heard our plea to organize our final night.
